|
It was night. To-morrow,
Gideon and his army must go and fight against their cruel enemies the
Midianites. How did Gideon feel? A battle is a very dangerous
thing. Gideon could not tell who might be killed; perhaps he might
die, perhaps some of his dear friends; but he did not fear, because God
was with him, and had promised him the victory. Captains and
commanders of armies may be quiet and happy, if they are ready to die;
they need not be afraid in the most dangerous battle, if God be with them. While
Gideon was lying down to rest, and his 300 soldiers by him, he heard a
voice calling to Him. Who spoke? Was it an enemy come to kill
him, and his little army? No, it was no enemy, it was Gideon's best
Friend who spoke to him,—it was the voice of God. When all are
asleep, the eye of God is still open; He never sleeps, but watches over
His people, and keeps them in safety. How pleasant it is to be the
people of God, and to have our kind Father and Friend to take care of us,
when we are sleeping upon our beds, in the long dark night! But
why did God speak to Gideon? He came to comfort him. God knew
all Gideon felt: all his fears and sorrows were remembered by Him;
and now He came to encourage him before the battle began. God said
to Gideon, "Arise, go down to the army of the Midianites. If
thou fear to go alone, take Phurah thy servant with thee; go and hear what
the Midianites say, and afterwards thou shalt feel strengthened to go down
to the army." So Gideon and his servant Phurah went directly,
as God commadned. They went, without fear, very near to their
enemies, because they knew that God was with them, and would keep them
safely. The tents of the Midianites and the Amalekites covered all
the valley; they were very many. The soldiers were sleeping in the
tents, and their camels lay by them; they were so many, Gideon could not
count them. But the Midianites were not all asleep; some were
keeping watch, and some were making ready for the morrow, and some were
talking; but none of them saw Gideon and his servant. There were two
men, Midianites, talking together, and Gideon and Phurah went near to
them, to hear what they said. One man was telling his dream to his
friend; he said, "I dreamed that I saw a cake of bread tumble into
the hosts of the Midianites; I saw it fall upon a tent, and the tent was
overturned, and thrown down." His friend answered, "That
cake of bread is Gideon, the commander of the Israelites; he will fall
upon us, and destroy our army, because God is with him." When
Gideon heard what the man said, he rejoiced, and thanked and worshiped
God. He felt now sure of the victory. Then he and Phurah went
back to the Israelites, and Gideon said, "Arise, for God gives the
Midianites into our hand." God,
who gave peace and comfort to Gideon and his little army, put fear and
sorrow into the hearts of the Midianites. He sent a voice of love to
His friends; He sent fearful dreams to frighten His enemies.
|
